The Hero of Kuwait Concours d’Elegance 2012

The Mercedes-Benz W125 was built for the 1937 Grand Prix racing season and won the 1937 European Championship, with W125 drivers also finishing in the second, third and fourth positions in the championship.

The W125 was considered the most powerful racing car ever for about three decades. In Formula One racing itself, the figure was not exceeded until the early 1980s, with the appearance of turbo-charged engines in Formula One.

The W125 reached race speeds of well over 300 km/h (190 mph) in 1937 possible due to its streamlined body.

It achieved victories in the Grand Prix in Tripoli and the Avus Race in Berlin, double victories in the Grand Prix in Germany, Italy and Brinn, and triple victories in the Grand Prix in Monaco and Switzerland.

Although the W125 served its fast purpose for one year only, it did so with great panache. It could precisely be adjusted to each racetrack by means of different transmissions, tank volumes, petrol cocktails, carburettors, superchargers, rim and tire sizes, tire treads and even exterior dimensions. Engine power, torque, top speed and the speeds achieved in the individual gears varied accordingly.

The final engine of 5,660 cc, devoured one litre of fuel per kilometre. Ready to race, the W125 weighed 1,097 kilograms (1,021 kilograms without driver), including 240 litres of petrol, seven litres of water, nine litres of engine oil and 3.5 litres of transmission oil. The engine produced a massive 646hp (475 kW).

The Mercedes-Benz W125 epitomizes elegance and speed with technology and body design cues passed on in later years to Mercedes-Benz’ road cars. This car evokes the spirit of Kuwait Concours d’Elegance 2012, a passion for speed.

The excitement is building in the collector car and auto enthusiast world with the upcoming Kuwait Concours d’Elegance taking place February 15th – 18th, 2012.